Adrian GÎLCĂ (ADR Chișinău, MD), in the context of the launch of the CAPDR – Ștefănești Cross-Border Cooperation Center: “Real partnerships are the key to turning cross-border dialogue into concrete projects.”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
On January 30, 2026, at the Ștefănești Town Hall, Botoșani County, the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Working Meeting took place, an event dedicated to strengthening cross-border cooperation and the role of public administration in developing and implementing regional development strategies. In this context, the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești was also launched.
The meeting was organized by the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR), in partnership with ADR Chișinău, and was hosted by the Ștefănești Town Hall.
The event brought together approximately 60 representatives of local public administrations and institutions from the suburbs of Chișinău, the Northern Region of the Republic of Moldova, Botoșani, Suceava, and Iași counties, as well as from the cross-border cooperation eligibility area in Ukraine.
Thematic Framework and Objectives of the Meeting
The agenda of the meeting focused on the theme “The Role of Public Administration in Developing and Implementing Development Strategies”, within the context of the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova 2021–2027 Project, implemented by CAPDR and ADR Chișinău.
The project component aimed to create an institutional framework for dialogue and practical cooperation between public authorities, associative organizations, and experts from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with an emphasis on regional development and cross-border cooperation.
During the meeting, the concept “From Dialogue to Action” was also presented through the introduction of the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești. Topics discussed included the establishment of the center, its membership structure, ongoing activities, projects developed by its members, as well as its role in national and international representation within this cooperation framework.
Following the working session, the agenda continued with a visit to the future headquarters of the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești, as well as an institutional networking session hosted at the base of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Ștefănești. This stage was dedicated to strengthening the RO–MD–UA network, identifying joint projects, exchanging contacts, and shaping cooperation perspectives within thematic working groups.
Adrian Gîlcă (ADR Chișinău): “Real partnerships are the key to transforming cross-border dialogue into concrete projects”
During the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Working Meeting, organized on January 30, 2026, at the Ștefănești Town Hall, Botoșani County, Adrian Gîlcă, Project Manager from the Chișinău Municipality Regional Development Agency (ADR Chișinău), emphasized the importance of building functional partnerships and applied institutional cooperation in regional development.
“I am glad to see so many people interested in finding partnerships, bilateral communications, and I wish everyone success”, stated Adrian Gîlcă, highlighting the growing interest of public administrations and institutions participating in concrete collaborations within cross-border cooperation mechanisms.
ADR Chișinău – Key Institution in Implementing Regional Development Policies
In his intervention, the ADR Chișinău representative presented the agency’s institutional role within the administrative architecture of the Republic of Moldova, highlighting its responsibilities in implementing public policies for regional development.
“The Chișinău Municipality Regional Development Agency is an institution subordinated to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, which implements regional development policies and programs in the development area of Chișinău Municipality”, explained Adrian Gîlcă.
He also noted that ADR Chișinău is a relatively new structure, established in 2023, but has quickly consolidated its administrative capacity and project portfolio.
“We are a relatively newly created agency, in 2023, yet we have quickly launched relevant projects for the communities in our development area”, emphasized the Project Manager.
From Pilot Projects to an Expanded Portfolio of Regional Investments
Adrian Gîlcă also referred to the concrete evolution of ADR Chișinău’s activities, noting that the agency has moved from individual interventions to a broad portfolio of projects with direct impact on citizens’ quality of life.
“We started three projects in the suburbs, mostly in the areas of water and health, and now we have over 100 projects in our development area”, he stated.
In this context, the partnership with the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR) was presented as a best practice example regarding inter-institutional cooperation and the development of joint initiatives.
“Just as we, the Chișinău Municipality Regional Development Agency, partnered with CAPDR”, emphasized Adrian Gîlcă, highlighting the importance of cross-border collaborations for accessing European funds and efficiently implementing regional development projects.
Cross-Border Cooperation: From Strategy to Action
The statements of the ADR Chișinău representative aligned with the overall logic of the meeting, focused on transforming institutional dialogue into an operational tool capable of generating joint projects and measurable results within the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova 2021–2027 Program.
The launch of the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești was thus presented as a concrete step toward strengthening the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine cooperation network and creating a stable institutional framework for sustainable regional development.
